The English Heiress by Patricia Rice

Author:Patricia Rice [Rice, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-three

Michael was in no humor to appease an angry duke. He’d left Blanche in a fury and probably headed straight for London into the arms of an explosives expert. He scowled and waited for the first round of attack.

“Where the bloody hell is Blanche?” Neville demanded.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Michael shrugged. “Visiting friends in Wiltshire, last I heard. If I were you, I would find some way of keeping her there. Of course, if I were you, I wouldn’t have a band of radicals hot on my heels.”

“I’m not afraid of a bunch of sniveling cowards who hide in dirty back streets and mutter imprecations to keep themselves warm,” the duke declared. “I just don’t want them anywhere near Blanche.”

Blind, deaf, and dumb, these bloody nobles. Michael closed his weary eyes and leaned against the doorjamb, knowing Fiona had left through the back the instant the duke had appeared. “Is Your Grace aware that Lady Blanche owns mills in the north that are currently targets of attack by radicals? And I suspect, if the mills are targeted, then so must be the mines and whatever. And it is your laws that permit the conditions leading to this unrest.”

“We’ve already instructed authorities to read the Riot Act and send out the yeomanry if these rabble rousers cause any more trouble,” the duke said coldly.

Michael flinched and rubbed his eyes. “Then you are personally responsible for any danger the lady is in. Go away and leave me alone.”

Neville grabbed Michael’s coat lapels and jerked him upward. “Where is she?”

They were evenly matched in height and weight, but Neville played fair by rules Michael had never bothered learning. He caught the duke’s wrists and twisted. Neville yelped and released his grip.

Dusting his lapels back in place, Michael answered, “She attempted to stop a riot in Manchester. Ask her solicitor. And if you insist on remaining, then keep Fiona from escaping. I’ve better to do than stand here arguing.”

As he departed, Michael didn’t remind him it would take an army to stop Lady Blanche from coming to London. He would take care of that on his own.

* * *

“What do you mean you are in his lordship’s employ and your orders are to take me to Dorset? I do not wish to go to Dorset. I wish to go to London. I order you to turn around and go back.” Blanche balled her hands into gloved fists of frustration as the carriage driver held his cap and scratched his head. She had rid herself of her companion at Wiltshire. To her dismay, she had discovered that Michael had absconded with what remained of the coins she’d removed from her hems, and she must rely on the carriage driver for her accommodations.

“His lordship might change his mind about hiring me if I were to do that, my lady,” he answered in dismay. “And I’ve a new wife who wants me to take a permanent position. I promised his lordship I would see you safe in Dorset.

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